Dual engine air and land multimodal vehicle

Abstract

An air and land multimodal vehicle comprises a frame, a propeller engine attached to a first location of the frame supplying power and torque to a propeller, a ground engine attached to a second location of the frame supplying power and torque to one or more ground traction elements, and a flexible wing releasably connectable to the frame, wherein the propeller engine is vertically and horizontally spaced from the ground engine.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multimodal vehicle comprising:
 a frame, the frame extending a longitudinal length and a lateral width, the lateral width intersected by a longitudinal medial plane and the longitudinal length intersected by a lateral medial plane; 
 a propeller engine attached to a first location of the frame, the propeller engine operable to supply power and torque to a propeller; 
 a ground engine attached to a second location of the frame, the ground engine operable to supply power and torque to one or more ground traction elements; 
 a horizontal rear axle plane which extends substantially parallel to the ground when the one or more ground traction elements are in contact with the ground, and the rear axle and the ground engine being disposed in the horizontal rear axle plane; 
 a drive shaft coupled to the ground engine and extending in the horizontal rear axle plane to a differential of the rear axle, wherein the drive shaft is coupled at a rear of the ground engine that faces the differential; 
 wherein the propeller engine is vertically and horizontally spaced apart from the ground engine; 
 wherein the propeller engine and the ground engine are both aligned with the longitudinal medial plane; 
 wherein the drive shaft coupled with the ground engine is substantially parallel to the longitudinal length of the frame, 
 wherein at least a portion of the ground engine extends below a base of the frame. 
 
     
     
       2. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more seats coupled with the frame. 
     
     
       3. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more seats are aligned along the longitudinal medial plane. 
     
     
       4. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more seats comprises a first seat and a second seat displaced along the longitudinal medial plane from the first seat, wherein the first seat and second seat are operable to accommodate a passenger and the ground engine is mounted behind and below the second seat. 
     
     
       5. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the drive shaft is substantially level relative to a bottom of the frame. 
     
     
       6. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a continuously variable transmission disposed between the ground engine and the drive shaft. 
     
     
       7. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a flexible wing releasably connectable to the frame. 
     
     
       8. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible wing is a parafoil. 
     
     
       9. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the parafoil is a ram-air parafoil. 
     
     
       10. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral width is substantially bisected by the longitudinal medial plane and the longitudinal length is substantially bisected by the lateral medial plane. 
     
     
       11. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the propeller engine and the ground engine are fluidly connected to a common fuel reservoir. 
     
     
       12. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the ground engine has a crankshaft that is parallel to a centerline of the propeller. 
     
     
       13. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein a base guard extends under the ground engine to protect the ground engine. 
     
     
       14. A multimodal vehicle comprising:
 a frame, the frame extending a longitudinal length and a lateral width, the lateral width intersected by a longitudinal medial plane and the longitudinal length intersected by a lateral medial plane; 
 a propeller engine attached to a first location of the frame, the propeller engine operable to supply power and torque to a propeller; 
 a ground engine attached to a second location of the frame, the ground engine operable to supply power and torque to four or more ground traction elements; 
 a horizontal rear axle plane which extends substantially parallel to the ground when the one or more ground traction elements are in contact with the ground, and the rear axle and the ground engine being disposed in the horizontal rear axle plane; 
 a drive shaft coupled to the ground engine and extending in the horizontal rear axle plane to a differential of the rear axle; 
 wherein the propeller engine is vertically and horizontally spaced apart from the ground engine; 
 wherein the propeller engine and the ground engine are both aligned with the longitudinal medial plane; 
 wherein the drive shaft coupled with the ground engine is substantially parallel to the longitudinal length of the frame, 
 wherein at least a portion of the ground engine extends below a base of the frame, a base guard coupled with the frame and extending under the portion of the ground engine extending below the frame. 
 
     
     
       15. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the drive shaft is substantially level relative to a bottom of the frame. 
     
     
       16. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 14 , wherein the ground engine has a crankshaft that is parallel to a centerline of the propeller. 
     
     
       17. The multimodal vehicle of  claim 14 , further comprising a horizontal rear axle plane which extends parallel to the ground and relative to the ground when the one or more ground traction elements are in contact with the ground, and a rear axle and the ground engine lying in the horizontal rear axle plane.